| Summary: | In post-Taliban Afghanistan, where women face severe restrictions on employment and
mobility, entrepreneurship has become a vital pathway for economic survival and empowerment.
This study examines how entrepreneurial training influences the development of business skills
and performance among Afghan women entrepreneurs, and explores the contextual barriers that
shape their access to and application of these skills. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were
collected from 79 women across Kabul, Herat, and Balkh provinces through a structured
questionnaire and open-ended responses. Entrepreneurial competencies were measured using a
Semantic Differential Scale (SDS), and business outcomes were self-reported based on
performance over the past six months.
Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant association between
entrepreneurial training and business growth. However, the effect of training on perceived
entrepreneurial skill levels was not statistically significant overall, there was an effect but it
appeared to be influenced by participants’ educational backgrounds. Women with lower
education levels faced greater barriers to accessing and benefiting from training. Qualitative
insights underscored challenges such as market instability, digital illiteracy, and the absence of
mentorship. Informal learning and peer-based support emerged as critical yet underutilized
resources.
The study concludes that entrepreneurial training is associated with improved business
outcomes, particularly growth, though its impact on skill development remains inconclusive.
These findings suggest the need for contextually relevant, practically delivered training and more inclusive support models to meet the diverse needs of Afghan women entrepreneurs operating
under restrictive conditions.
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